Referee Simon Hooper and his VAR team may have made a big mistake as they missed a perhaps clear handball from Harry Maguire in the most recent Manchester United game.

What's the latest on VAR and Man Utd?

On the face of it, it seems as though the Red Devils cruised to a pretty standard 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest on the weekend.

Indeed, the Sunday afternoon fixture was ultimately decided thanks to goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot, handing Man United a key three points inside the Premier League as they look to finish inside the top four.

However, Erik ten Hag's men did have to ride their luck early on. Indeed, when the score was still 0-0, Forest had a huge penalty shout questionably turned down.

As this image shows, when jumping to win the ball inside his own box, Maguire gets himself in a complete mess and the ball bounces off his arm.

Was it a handball from Harry Maguire?

It's easy to see why referee Hooper might not have spotted the possible offence live. After all, there are plenty of bodies in the box, making it hard to see quite just what is going on.

However, this is why we have VAR. With that in mind, it's quite baffling that the technology was not able to spot the incident and then at least ask the referee to review it on the pitch-side monitor.

Judging from the picture above, had Hooper been given another opportunity to review the incident, it's hard to see him not awarding Forest a penalty.

To make things worse, Maguire was already on a yellow card and so this could have changed the trajectory of the game even more, had he then been sent off for a second bookable offence.

When talking to BBC Sport after the game, Forest manager Cooper certainly seemed to think this should have been the case.

Indeed, he fumed, saying: "I definitely think it was a penalty, and then a second yellow.

"I do not know how VAR did not spot it, at this level they should be doing better."

With Nottingham Forest battling down at the very bottom of the Premier League, this could be a pivotal moment in their season.

Indeed, they now sit 18th on the table, only 27 points with just seven games left to save themselves from relegation back down into the Championship.

Jurgen Klopp has changed the fortunes of Liverpool FC and cemented himself into Anfield folklore by bringing the first Premier League title and a sixth Champions League title to the second-biggest club in England.

While he has a reasonably consistent hit rate with bringing in some big players to change the trajectory of Liverpool's fortunes, there have been a few notable big-money flops, and Naby Keïta is probably the highest-profile player who didn't quite meet the expectations at Anfield.

Liverpool's fortunes this season

Liverpool started this season neck and neck with Manchester City as the second favourites to lift the title. However, they took it to the final day in the 2021/22 season, and the two teams had set the bar so high that nobody could see past the two for the title.

As we know, Mikel Arteta and his magisterial Arsenal have gate-crashed that particular party and look like they could be on course to lift their first Premier League crown in nearly 20 years. Betting markets at Bet UK offer comprehensive outright markets on Premier League events and you would have got fantastic odds at the start of the season for Arsenal to win the title.

It looks like Liverpool has started their season too late in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. Having been destroyed by Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid in this year's knockout stages and comprehensively beaten in the league by Man City, it looks like it is back to the drawing board for Klopp, including shifting out the deadwood.

What went wrong for Keïta?

Although some Liverpool fans say they have operated on a shoestring budget compared to their rivals, this isn't the case. Manchester City has spent more money but Liverpool isn't just getting by on a frugal budget.

In the same way, the likes of Brighton currently sit above Liverpool in the table and seem to have a conveyer belt of world-class talent that they bring in for incredible prices. Although Kopites might like to think they fall into this bracket, the figures show they have spent a fortune.

An eye-watering price tag of £48m was the cost for the Guinean international. But, to be fair to Liverpool, it looked like it could be a bargain at the time. He had a great strike rate for a midfielder at Leipzig and at the age of 23, it looked like his best years were yet to come.

One of the main reasons Keïta has failed to fill his potential at Liverpool is due to several injuries he has sustained during his time there. However, saying he has been a total flop would be unfair. In some games, he looked very much like the player Klopp would have wanted, and he was given the legendary number eight shirt, which was vacant due to their talismanic ex-captain Steven Gerrard leaving the club after 26 years.

Keïta has played dozens of games for Liverpool and has been lambasted on social media by LFC fans for his perceived lack of commitment in big games, although injuries and often being played out of position definitely haven't helped his cause.

He has been overshadowed in his area of the pitch by other quality additions, such as Thiago, and Keïta hasn't gelled well with other midfielders, such as captain Jordan Henderson. Therefore, Jurgen Klopp is happy to allow Keïta to see out the remainder of his contract this summer and leave as a free agent.

Keïta’s next club

Given that he commanded such a colossal fee back in 2017, there are still plenty of clubs interested in the Guinean's services and it could be a smart move if they can land him on a free transfer. Wherever Naby finds himself, they will be delighted if he can recreate some of his Leipzig form that led to Liverpool splashing out nearly £50m.

Internet rumours and media stories come cheap, and if you were to look at social media, Naby could be joining half of the top clubs in Europe. However, the rumours that seem to be gathering the most momentum include signing for FC Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund.

It would seem a natural fit, given that Keïta has already prove himself in Germany, and Dortmund will likely lose their superstar midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer. Whether Keïta wants to travel back to Germany at this stage of his career or would rather play in another of Europe's top leagues is a decision that only he can make.

Players must often factor in what is best for themselves and their families. However, if the circumstances are favourable, we would expect to see Keïta travelling back to Germany to rekindle some of that excellent form that made him one of Europe's top talents just five years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur could look at appointing Luis Enrique as their next manager, with the coach among the remaining candidates to take over at the end of the season, according to a recent report from The Athletic.

Who will Tottenham appoint as manager?

According to The Telegraph, Tottenham have compiled a four-man shortlist of managers, with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann said to be their top target, although his wage demands could prove to be a huge obstacle.

However, Spurs are now said to be losing faith they will be able to appoint the German for the 2023/24 campaign, as he wants his next project to have a squad capable of instant success, which he does not believe would be the case in north London.

As such, chairman Daniel Levy may need to turn his attentions elsewhere, having recently been linked with a move for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, while Maurizio Sarri has also emerged as a potential option.

Despite the recent setback in Tottenham's pursuit of Nagelsmann, The Athletic report the 35-year-old is among the remaining candidates to take over as manager, alongside Enrique.

The Spaniard has also made it past the first stage, with Spurs recently narrowing down their list of targets, however they are still yet to make a concrete breakthrough in talks with any manager.

Before they appoint a new head coach, it is detailed Levy may be keen to appoint a new director of football to replace the outgoing Fabio Paratici.

Should Tottenham appoint Luis Enrique?

Hailed as a "genius" by members of the media, there are some indications the 52-year-old would be a shrewd appointment for Spurs, given his previous success, winning nine trophies, including the Champions League, as manager of Barcelona.

That said, while winning the Champions League is always a remarkable feat, it must be noted he was in charge of a star-studded Barca side, and he has not enjoyed a great deal of success elsewhere.

The Gijon-born tactician was sacked by Spain after their elimination from the 2022 World Cup at the round of 16 stage, while he has also not managed at club level since 2017, and he's never took charge of a team outside of Spain.

As such, it would be a risk for Tottenham to appoint Enrique, and they could be better off avoiding a big-name manager, given that Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho were both unsuccessful in north London.

Liverpool return to action in the Premier League this evening as they host Fulham at Anfield with a chance to move within four points of the Champions League places.

The Reds come into the game off the back of a thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Merseyside last weekend, as Diogo Jota's late strike secured a stunning win for Jurgen Klopp's men.

However, the head coach may still want to make changes to his side in spite of the positive result as some individual performances left a lot to be desired.

One player who must be boldly ditched from the line-up for this match is central defender Ibrahima Konate, in favour of Joel Matip, after his less-than-impressive display against Spurs.

How did Konate perform against Tottenham?

The Frenchman was suspect defensively throughout the game and was involved in the opposition's first goal. He was dragged out of position by Heung-min Son on the halfway line and his failure to drop back in allowed Harry Kane a free volley from eight yards by the time Ivan Perisic was able to send in a cross.

Konate was also let off the hook when his advanced position allowed Son to pick the ball up on the edge of the box in the second half with the forward then crashing his shot against the post.

The ex-Leipzig star's awareness was questionable again for Tottenham's second goal as the South Korean finally got himself on the scoresheet by taking advantage of the lack of communication between Trent Alexander-Arnold and his centre-back to run between them before slotting past Alisson.

Klopp must, therefore, boldly ditch the £35m titan and bring in Matip, who impressed in the 2-1 win over West Ham in their previous outing before the Spurs match.

The 31-year-old veteran, who was once dubbed "dominant" by ex-Red Sami Hyypia, won an eye-catching nine of his 11 aerial battles throughout the match and received a Sofascore rating of 7.7 – boosted by the fact that he scored the winning goal.

Konate, meanwhile, has not recorded a Sofascore rating as high as 7.7 in the entire Premier League campaign and recorded a score of 6.8 against Tottenham.

Matip, on the other hand, has scored 7.7/10 in two of his last three outings in the top flight for the Reds. When available, the experienced campaigner is a reliable performer and someone who Klopp can lean on to deliver the goods tonight after Konate's worrying display against Spurs.

Ditching the France international for the clash with the Cottagers tonight could also provide the youngster with added motivation to come back stronger and avoid making as many mistakes in his next appearance.

Liverpool scouts were keeping a close eye on Lens midfielder Seko Fofana on Saturday ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Fofana to Liverpool?

The Ivory Coast international first arrived in Ligue 1 back in 2020, and since making 109 appearances to date, has become such an integral member of Franck Haise’s first-team that he is now their club captain.

Despite the 28-year-old’s contract not expiring for another two years, he’s also his squad’s second overall best-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.06, and this standout form has caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Back in November 2022, Fabrizio Romano revealed via CaughtOffside that the French outfit’s skipper changed agents in the hope of securing a move away this year, where at the time he’d already been heavily linked with the Reds and Arsenal.

Now, according to 90min, Liverpool, the Gunners, Manchester United, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham all “sent scouts” to Lens’ 2-1 victory over Marseille on Saturday, with the Merseyside chiefs “keeping a close eye” on the performance of Fofana.

FSG and Klopp have reportedly held a “long-standing interest” in their target and he is a player on the “lengthy list” of central candidates that they have been monitoring. Alongside the midfielder, Kevin Danso, a centre-back, also “attracted particular interest” throughout the 90 minutes.

Would Fofana be the right fit for Liverpool?

Fofana is naturally a central midfielder but is much stronger in the attacking aspect of his game having been lauded Lens’ “creative spark” by journalist Josh Bunting, and with the leadership qualities that he’d also add to the squad, he would be an excellent addition at Liverpool.

The 6 foot 1 star, who currently pockets £30k-per-week, has posted 30 goal contributions (19 goals and 11 assists) in 109 Lens appearances, but even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, he’s constantly looking to make the magic happen in the final third.

The Paris native ranks in the 97th percentile for total shots and the 96th percentile for number of attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area compared with other midfielders, as per FBRef, so is always a real threat in and around the box at the top end of the pitch.

Finally, Fofana is a versatile operator having played in an impressive six different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even once at centre-forward, and the fact that he's previously endured spells with Manchester City's U21s and later Fulham means that he's no stranger to English football, so he could be the perfect profile of midfielder for Klopp.

Liverpool are set to reignite their pursuit of Real Madrid prodigy Aurelien Tchouameni, following recent reports, after Los Blancos beat Jurgen Klopp's side to his signature last summer.

What's the latest on Aurelien Tchouameni's future?

According to a report from 90min, the Reds are interested in signing former target Tchouameni this summer even if a loan deal is the only possibility.

The industrious midfielder was of a vested interest to the club last season and vigorously pursued while he plied his trade for Monaco, before Carlo Ancelotti's Spanish giants secured his signature for €100m (£85m).

The defensive engine has not quite alighted La Liga as might have been hoped and with the thronged Madrid midfield only set to be more brimful with a seismic deal for Jude Bellingham edging towards completion, a short-term move could suit all parties.

Why should Liverpool sign Tchouameni?

With James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain all set to depart from Anfield upon the expiry of their contracts this summer, a score of transfer rumours have been flung across the transfer market like a fusillade of missiles this season.

The script might have been very different if Klopp and co had succeeded in their pursuit for Tchouameni last year, instead reluctant to make an unrehearsed swoop for another midfielder in the latter phases of the summer window and ultimately panicking and signing Arthur from Juventus on a one-year loan deal, a move which, to put it lightly, has not worked out.

Since signing for the Spanish giants, the 23-year-old has played 44 matches across all competitions and has registered four assists, though he is still yet to strike the back of the net himself.

The 22-cap France international, who scored against England in the World Cup quarter-finals, ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion and interceptions per 90, also among the top 11% for total shots and the top 16% for rate of assists per 90, as per FBref.

Hailed as "incredible" by Rio Ferdinand, the £212k-per-week machine could emulate Manchester City phenom Rodri's impact on the Premier League, perhaps closing the gulf between Klopp and Pep Guardiola's teams once more.

Tchouameni and the 26-year-old Spaniard are listed the most comparable players to each by FBref, and with the Cityzen gem comfortably inside the pantheon of contemporary holding midfielders after making 201 appearances for his side and winning the whole gamut of domestic honours under his sagely manager's wing, he's not a bad pro to attempt to emulate.

Indeed, Rodri, himself lauded as "incredible" by Gary Neville, ranks among the top 2% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 14% for total shots and the top 19% for rate of assists; with an interesting semblance between the pair, Klopp could indeed find the perfect midfield rock to rekindle the former verve on Merseyside.

It's worth noting that a loan deal for a midfielder who could swiftly cement his name as one of the first on the team sheet, not only fortifies the ranks but creates space to spend freely on further targets, offering the perfect formula for a resurgence back to silver-laden success.

Liverpool are front-runners to complete a swoop for Celta Vigo maestro Gabri Veiga this summer, with manager Jurgen Klopp undoubtedly looking to bolster his central ranks.

What's the latest on Gabri Veiga to Liverpool?

That's according to TEAMtalk's sources, with the Premier League giants hoping to requite Real Madrid's ostensible success in the pursuit of highly-sought prodigy Jude Bellingham by sealing a deal for Veiga.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been electric in LaLiga this season and has consequently attracted interest from a host of top European outfits, with Arsenal also notable suitors for the burgeoning starlet.

Holding a €40m (£35) release clause, Los Blancos are seemingly only willing to offer around €30m (£26m) for his signature, whereas Klopp and co will pay the full sum.

Should Liverpool sign Gabri Veiga?

Having plied the majority of his trade in the Spanish third division last year, Veiga has taken flight at the top level with expeditious might this term, reaping nine goals and four assists from 32 LaLiga matches during his breakout season.

It's no wonder that the "Spanish gem", as he has been lauded by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, has been so highly touted at this maiden stage of his career, flourishing at a level that belies his tender age and inexperience.

Described as "dangerous" by reporter Euan McTear, Veiga is developing capabilities across different facets of the pitch, with FBref ranking him among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 2% for shots taken, the top 15% for rate of assists, the top 13% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.

He is already as dynamic a midfielder as water is wet, and could be unleashed on Merseyside as the Premier League's very own emulation of Real Madrid sensation Federico Valverde, a player Klopp knows all too well.

Having signed for the prestigious Santiago Bernabeu side for €5m (£4m) in his adolescence, the Uruguayan has steadily made the requisite increments for success at one of football's most distinguished outfits, now valued at £130m by CIES Football Observatory.

The 24-year-old has won the whole gamut with his team, having scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists from 200 senior appearances.

And ranking himself among the top 7% of positional peers for rate of goals, the top 3% for shots taken, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, the £132k-per-week machine is certainly a pro Veiga would be wise to emulate.

If Liverpool complete a swoop for Veiga, Klopp would enrich his midfield with a prodigious central talent, potentially signing his very own Valverde capable of lifting the club towards illustrious success once more.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly still considering alternatives to leading managerial candidate, Arne Slot, according to the latest reports.

What's the latest in Tottenham's manager search?

As per speculation in Spain, the Lilywhites are reportedly accelerating their interest in out-of-work boss, Julian Nagelsmann, with the German said to be the 'great favourite' of Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy.

This surprise revelation comes following reports earlier this month that suggested the 35-year-old was no longer in the running to be named as the permanent successor to Antonio Conte, having emerged as an early frontrunner prior to that.

Equally, this claim also comes amid the rampant speculation that the aforementioned Slot is set to be the subject of an approach from the north London outfit, with the Dutchman having only recently guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title.

Would Nagelsmann be a good appointment for Tottenham?

While all the talk is centred around that man Slot at present – with the 44-year-old lauded for his "ultra-attacking" style, as per journalist Marcel van der Kraan – it would be foolish to discount the qualities of Nagelsmann, if the former Bayern Munich man is still among the candidates for the role.

Although the up-and-coming coach was only recently dismissed from his post at Allianz Arena back in March, that had come despite the one-time RB Leipzig boss having lost just three games in all competitions this season prior to that.

In his absence, the Bavarian giants – who had enjoyed a perfect record in the Champions League this term with eight wins from eight prior to Nagelsmann's sacking – have since crashed out of Europe under Thomas Tuchel's watch and are currently behind rivals Borussia Dortmund in the title race, potentially proving that the decision to part ways with the Tottenham target may have been misguided.

The highly-coveted tactician – who had also been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent months – still appears to have admirers back at Bayern, with midfield maestro Joshua Kimmich hailing him as an "outstanding coach" and ranking his compatriot among the "top three" of his "best coaches" in his playing career.

The 4-2-3-1 boss has warranted such glowing praise having won the league title and two German Super Cups during his time as a manager thus far, while also previously making his mark while at Leipzig after reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2020.

While much has been made of Slot's progressive style and full-throttle approach – having been described as a "maniac" by Van der Kraan – Nagelsmann too is also a figure who likes his teams to play on the front foot, with the man himself having previously stated:

"I like to attack the opponents near their own goal because your own path to the goal is not as long if you get the ball higher up."

That attacking, aggressive philosophy would likely be appealing to the likes of Levy – who has previously stated his aim to see "free-flowing" football at N17 – hence just why it would be an 'outstanding' decision to keep Nagelsmann under consideration.

Liverpool have held discussions regarding a summer deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to reports.

Is Bruno Guimaraes leaving Newcastle?

The Premier League giants have confirmed that James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the club, as well as loanee Arthur Melo, so Jurgen Klopp is in the market for central reinforcements and the 25-year-old has seemingly been highlighted as an ideal target.

The Brazilian international still has another three years remaining on his contract, but being Eddie Howe’s top-performing defensive player last season, has caught the eye of the boss at Anfield, alongside overseas.

The Times report that Barcelona are interested in a deal for the northeast outfit’s star, and whilst 90min have since claimed that the Magpies are confident that he will sign a new deal over the summer, that hasn’t stopped FSG from attempting to take a bite of the cherry.

Are Liverpool signing Guimaraes?

According to Goal Brasil (via Sport Witness), Liverpool have “opened talks” to land Guimaraes as well as Barcelona, with both admirers “willing to try” to buy him. The Merseyside outfit have “made contact” to discover what it would take to get a deal over the line, and whilst the player’s representatives have personally “told” Newcastle about the interest, they understand that his “preference” is to remain at St. James’ Park.

Would Guimaraes be a good signing for Liverpool?

Liverpool have played against Newcastle and indeed Guimaraes on several occasions so will know what he’s capable of, and having been dubbed a defensive midfield “orchestrator” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he could be a fantastic signing for FSG.

The World Cup participant, who pockets £120k-per-week, recorded a total of 78 tackles throughout the 2022/23 campaign which was more than any other of his teammates, as per FBRef, but he’s also capable of chipping in at the opposite end of the pitch.

The Rio de Janeiro native clocked up nine goal contributions (five assists and four goals) in the top-flight last term and made 110 shot-creating actions which was the second-highest number in the northeast, so is constantly looking to produce moments of quality.

Finally, Guimaraes has the versatility to operate slightly further up the pitch in central midfield and even at centre-back alongside his natural position sitting just in front of the backline, so he could be a great option for Klopp to have at his disposal should the opportunity ever present itself, however, a move could be tricky to complete.

While an FA Cup final triumph could well be the icing on the cake for Manchester United, even without a Wembley win it has already been a rather remarkable campaign for the Red Devils, with Erik ten Hag guiding the club to a third-place finish and securing Carabao Cup glory during his debut season at the helm.

Such a positive year hardly looked possible amid the early season defeats to the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, with that latter, 4-0 thrashing having no doubt had supporters fearing the worst at the time.

One key factor in the turnaround in fortunes from that grim day in west London was the subsequent £70m signing of Brazilian maestro, Casemiro from Real Madrid, with the experienced ace having reportedly stated his desire to "fix" United's problems after witnessing that defeat to the Bees.

The 31-year-old has seemingly gone on to do more than just that after emerging as a "massive player" for the club, according to Ten Hag, with the former Ajax boss also hailing his marquee summer signing as the "cement" in the side earlier in the campaign.

As club legend Gary Neville stated, one issue that has come about as a result of the midfielder's standout form is the drop in standards or quality when he has been rested or suspended this season, with the treble-winner stating that the "jump in Manchester United’s quality of performance is enormous" if the £350k-per-week titan is available for selection.

With there no suitable understudy for the five-time Champions League winner in Ten Hag's squad, it is no surprise that Ten Hag is believed to be eyeing a 'younger' midfield recruit ahead of next season, in order to provide increased depth and longevity.

Amid that need to find an ideal heir to Casemiro, the Old Trafford outfit could well have already identified a dream candidate in the form of Leeds United's, Tyler Adams.

Should Man United sign Tyler Adams?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are interested in prising the United States international from Elland Road, with a fee of around £35m having been suggested amid the Whites' recent return to the Championship.

As per 90min, the former RB Leipzig man – who only arrived in Yorkshire on a £20m deal last summer – is all but certain to be moving elsewhere ahead of next season following that drop into the second tier, with United believed to be among those ready to pounce.

While Adams did miss the final 12 games of the season through injury, prior to that the one-time Red Bull Salzburg ace had been a colossal presence at the base of the midfield for Leeds, having been described as a "tackling machine" by pundit, Kevin Campbell.

That ball-winning quality ensured that despite the American's lengthy absence, the £55k-per-week warrior still ended the season with the joint-fourth most tackles in the division (89), equalling the tally that was achieved by Casemiro.

That likeness between the pair is also showcased by the fact that while the current Old Trafford star averaged 3.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game from his 28 league appearances, Adams enjoyed a remarkably similar record after averaging 3.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions from his 24 league outings.

The pair also seem to share the ability to make an impact in an attacking sense too, as the Leeds "monster" – as described by analyst Alexi Lalas – averaged one key pass per game as a marker of his creative talent, while Casemiro also averaged one key pass per game.

Of course, Ten Hag won't be contemplating replacing the latter man any time soon, although it would undoubtedly be wise to secure some quality competition and cover in the form of his heir-apparent, Adams.